Wednesday, April 30, 2014

This was one of my finishes this week. I'm sure at this point you are grateful I didn't take a picture of the Strawberry House....but you know it's coming, since it's finished. Anyway, since Easter is behind us it was time to redo our counter display so I had to get something for summer (we're still expecting to see summer...we've said the heck with seeing spring since that's just not going to happen). So this is Pine Mountain Summer Typography. Sara has a "stinkfest" going on today....some stinky dog walkers have been in and she's having a hissy fit over it. She keeps going outside to get "fresh air". Today there were so many Ocean City events...an island run (from Assateague Island to Ocean City), a dog walk on the boardwalk, the kite festival, a motorcycle rally...good heavens all on this one weekend. Anyway, with the heat building, sweat and the doggy smell life is getting to Sara. I'm staying behind the counter blogging in Sea Trader so I don't have to deal with Sara's stinky smells.. I'll keep you posted....

Saturday, April 26, 2014

This is Sara and her 30 minute cowl. Looks nice don't you think? I'm sorry this is getting to be a mishmash of blogging, but apparently I didn't think about this before I started posting, so now I'm trying to clean things up and just post. I could have just deleted, but I also wanted you to see the pictures. So please stay with me I'm almost caught up.

These were my happy Easter presents from my two daughters....I love a gift, and these two never disappoint me. Each had filled either the basket or the pail with multiple little gifts which I will be enjoying...there's candy (yeah!), all kinds of stitching supplies, candles, oh just a whole bunch of great things for me to eat or use. Then we finished the evening eating at Ruth's Cris Steak House...yummo! I was having so much fun I accidently drank 3 drinks and so when I got home all I wanted to do was fall asleep....and then Solomon and Izzy came back in to play with their Easter gifts so I rallied and when they left I then went to sleep...early...even though I wanted to finish the Strawberry House...I was so close. So when I woke up this morning the first thing I did was take needle in hand and finish Strawberry House, which is the newest kit from Ladies Prim Society. So now I'm 3 for 3. Received 3, finished 3 (tonight I'll do the actual finishing) so I'm thrilled to be on schedule. And, of course, this means Shepherd's Fold comes into the rotation. Exciting!!!! We started our spring schedule in the shop last Friday (I use the term spring laughingly) so we're open every day now from 10:00 - 4:00. It's great to see Renee and Pat back on the schedule....and to see them period. Pat actually worked for me last Friday and around 3:00 I came over to the shop expecting to see she and Sara busy and found the two of them pulling knitting yarn for Sara's projects. Pat was telling Sara about Arm knitting and then Carol came in with a scarf she had done and Sara was so excited they showed her how to do it and when I came over she was ready to start. I came over at 3:00 and by 3:30 Sara had made the scarf which they connected and she wore wrapped around her neck. Unbelievable. I'm all about fast and easy so this was fascinating. Even though I suggested Easter colors, Sara chose fall colors (her favorite) and she wore it out to dinner. She was dressed all in black so the fall colors really were striking. Can you imagine knitting a cowl in 30 minutes? I'm sure she's put it on facebook, and I'll get it up on the blog tomorrow (she's suppose to send me the picture.) She used 3 different weights of yarn....google arm knitting if you have never heard of it. It's interesting. She's got 3 more groupings of colors picked and said she'll have them arm knitted and in the shop for you to see, at least that is her game plan at the moment. Her world is about to explode as we have two back to back events, The Delaware Sampler Guild retreat this coming weekend and then our Spring Retreat the following weekend, which is going to be interesting to see as we are booked 100% at the hotel and had to stop taking retreat reservations. So we've got the spring retreat mixing with hotel tenants (in the fall retreat we close the hotel to everyone but the stitchers, but we've never had to do that in the Spring) which is going to mean parking issues (we limit cars allowed per room with tenants, but have never done that with the spring retreat since we haven't had to....God help us when this explodes). Anyway, we're excited to get things moving so I'm sure somehow we'll make it work. No doubt there will be some who will complain, but we'll do our best to make as many people as we can happy.

Isn't this lovely? This was a gift from my dear friend Stasi Buhrman. And she not only stitched it but did such a lovely job on the finishing. She managed to get an egg form covered with not a single wrinkle...kudos to Stasi. She actually stitched this and several others several years ago and I feel so honored that she has gifted one to me. I simply love it and had it proudly displayed on a hutch in my dining room where I had my Easter display happening. (I finally put St. Patrick's day away). After stitching the canvaswork egg I'm all about the egg now. I'm going to do another one and try to do a better job on the finishing of the back....that's where my problem was. So this inspired me. Helen Cropper was in around Easter and Sara got her doing eggs as well. DebBee's Designs trunk show is here (that is the designer I used for my canvas work egg) and she sent 4 eggs and she had wooden bases for hers so they are free standing and it makes a great display. A fabulous Easter statement. But this weekend is all about the Delaware Guild Sampler Guild. We have about 20 of the stitchers here on retreat. You can just imagine what their show and tell looks like.....fabulous and intricate. So much fun to see what they've been up to since their last retreat in the fall. And wait until I show you what Jean Toy brought me this year. Each year she attends she brings me a stitched treat and they are so lovely....I'm honored and treasure each and every one. We have the nicest stitchers that attend our events or just come and stay at the hotel. We are a caring and gentle society...stitchers that is. Good company. And Betsy Cole who isn't even attending this event, (she'll be at next weekends event), knew we have the Delaware Guild here...anyway, she was attending a convention in Ocean City....and after the breakfast event she attended she noticed that the huge fruit displays, which weren't even touched, were going to be thrown out by the hotel so she grabbed them and ran them down here and we put them out for an afternoon pick up and the stitchers, to say nothing of the children, loved it. Betsy you are the best! That's the type of stitchers we get. Always thoughtful. So thanks to everyone who has made our weekend so nice. Even the weather is cooperating today. While yesterday was sunny, it was windy and got really chilly. But today the wind isn't as bad, the sun is shining brightly and it's warmer...good day all around. The ocean is gorgeous this morning...sparkling like it's floating diamonds. Yes this promises to be a good day. I'll have another post today to let you know what's happening.

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Friday....The day didn't start out well....couldn't get the key to turn in my car's ignition...God's way of telling me to walk to work, but then...God help me, Thrashers has opened almost a month early next door. I've already been to the French fry well and had to eat them. (Maybe the French fries were a reward from God for walking to work?) The good news is I didn't eat the entire container. Things are hopping in the store...the town is crowded with families here for the Easter holiday. The weather is a little cool today, but they are calling for 60's for Saturday and Sunday, hopefully they are correct. Today everyone has on hats, coats and gloves. Not exactly what one thinks of when one thinks of Easter. But at least we didn't get snow this week. So we're celebrating. And Renee did bring in her annual...so it's a good day. Saturday...the sun is shining but it's still cool...what happened to the 70 degrees they called for on Monday? Oh well, who cares, it's a good day at the beach. Vernon has decided I need to stop fixing my car and get a new one....darn it. I might get it fixed one more time before calling it quits, after all I've only had it for 13 years! Doesn't own me a thing! But after giving all my money to IRS this week I'm hesitant to now spend approx. $30,000 for a new van. Decisions, decisions, decisions! Michael spent the night last night so it was hard to get a lot of stitching in....well I have to confess once we got home I fell asleep on the sofa and he got bored so he went upstairs to play with Izzy & Solomon and then I woke up and stitched until he came back down....but still I was limited on stitching but I've almost finished the Ladies Prim Society piece so I'm excited because then I'm starting the Shepherd's Fold. The plum boxes are in for the Shepherd's Fold, but Sara says I can't have one since we have orders for them. Seriously people....but we're ordering many more on Tuesday so I should have one before I've finished stitching it....hopefully. But I'm really excited to see what the additional smalls will be on the Fold, aren't you? Got to run....talk to you soon. Have a wonderful holiday.

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

This is the new finish I talked about yesterday....after the two Sherri Jones class pieces, with beautiful stitching, but a lot of it, I wanted something that was fun, but fast...so Sara picked out the new French Tote and we picked a Jeannette Douglas design to put on it, "Take Time to Stitch" ...15th Anniversary Edition. The design was so much fun to stitch and an easy stitch. It took only a couple of days to complete so that felt wonderful. Because I was putting the design on the French Tote which is somewhat rustic, I did edit the stitching and left off most of the beadwork. I did put some beads on the piece but none on the border. If I was framing it however, I would have used the beads. With Easter coming upon us this weekend I decided I had to stitch Just Nan's "Lorelei Lamb", which again is a fast stitch, just a couple of nights, and today I hope to stitch it together. Another fun stitch. I also decided to edit this piece and didn't use the any of the sequins, instead just stitched the top in black and I outlined in white the body and black the head. I love the colors on Lorelei and felt she didn't need all the flower sequins. With her done you know what that means....New project....oh, I can't wait to dig into the many bags full of projects (to say nothing of all the projects on shelves in my stitching room. Such a fun way to spend time, looking through tons of stitching. I guess I should be moving on to summer projects since I believe we are skipping over spring. While it isn't as cold as it was in February and March, it's dipping back down...and while we didn't get the snow some of you did...we did get the torrential rain. I'm looking forward to some warmth (when I will again be begging for cooler temps as someone reminded me last week.) Talk to you soon...in the meantime I'm on the hunt for new projects...or perhaps pulling one I've already started but stuck in a bag somewhere. Have a great day!

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

What fun we had this weekend. Sherri Jones was in house to teach both The Mermaid's Two Tales, and the Tulip Tray designs, so there was a lot of activity as the stitchers all gathered and then concentrated to get as much done as they possibly could, and several of them are just a day's work away from completing their projects. Kudos to everyone. The weather cooperated, it's was sunny and somewhat warm all days, but today it's raining and cold again.... is spring ever going to get here? Yesterday Sara drove Ginny and Sherri to the airport so they could fly home, only to get a call once she got back to the shop from Ginny who's flight had been cancelled. Since there are no hotels near our airport, or anything else, Ginny was stuck in limbo and they were closing the airport since there were no more flights. So Sara went over and brought her back so she's going to try again today to get home. And Ginny heard from Sherri who's stuck in another airport due to delays...so let's just say that getting home was not as easy as getting here was for these two. So we really appreciate all the trouble people go to in order to attend a class or to teach a class. Thanks to all the participants and especially to Sherri. If you have never taken a class, you need to because you become so much more proficient in finishing. If you've never had Sherri Jones teach you....again, do your self a favor and sign up for one of her classes. She teaches all over the country so find a class near you because you will learn so much....worth it! The pictures you see are of the Button Hornbook by Priscilla's Pocket. Such a fun piece to put together. The stitch is an over one on 36 count and everything is in the kit, including the wool for the pocket on the back. There are two holes predrilled in the hornbook for attaching both the sampler and the button pocket on the back and the buttons included are used in the attachment so there is no gluing which I love. So cute! Other than the finishing of stitching on both class pieces, last week didn't produce a whole lot. But at least I finished both class pieces for Sara. I did finish one other piece which I loved, loved, loved stitching and I'll get that up on the site tomorrow...we had a slight glitch when we tried putting it on today and I've got to get to the office since IRS is sitting there waiting for my April 15th report and check...damn it. The accountant called Sara yesterday and I heard her say, "Well you can tell her that yourself." So I knew the number was high and everyone was trying to get someone else to tell me. Crap!!! So today we're scrambling to get it together. Honestly will my boat every dock? Probably but the dock might just be rotten so it will have to go back to sea. Hope your IRS day is easier than mine. Talk to you soon.

Sunday, April 6, 2014

I was a finishing fool Thursday night, knowing I had set a goal and wanting to complete the goal. I had a slight fender bender while leaving Walmart Thursday and was some what bummed about it when I got home and just didn't go near my stitching....until around 7:00 when I knew I would have nothing to bring in to the store if I didn't get on with it. So I started with the canvas work egg you see first. (Obviously I haven't put away St. Patrick's Day decorations since my Leprechaun is holding the egg. Anyway, I have to take back everything I was thinking about wrapping a canvaswork egg stretched over a Styrofoam form. I said it was impossible to get it right...I was wrong. The canvas after being sprayed with water was pliable enough to wrap around the egg. Unfortunately, the fabric on the back didn't fair as well...but as Sara said, who's looking at the back (no other than the people who come in now to see what I'm talking about. Anyway, the design is from DebBee's Designs "Easter Parade" which actually has charts for 4 different canvaswork eggs and as well as finishing instructions. They also have flat back finishing directions. But it was a fast stitch. I was slow to begin with (I thought I could get it done at work in one day), but once I got home it flew by. So this really is a one day project. I need to do a couple more before my finishing improves, but I love it anyway. Then it was on to SamSarah's "Carrot Stix." I've always loved her stitched carrots, but these have no stitching on them at all, except attaching buttons and are so fast and easy you can get all three done in 1 hour. The only thing I changed in her directions was....I put the buttons on before stitching the carrot seam. She instructs you to sew on the buttons after you've finished the construction of the carrot. My way is so much easier. But the hardest part for me was the stuffing of the carrot....at the tip end. But once I cut down on the amount of fiberfill I was putting in there it got better. Anyway, these were loads of fun and easy to finish. I then finished the 2008 Cancer piece, Buttons and Blossoms (I think that's the name) and put it together, made my own cording (I had forgotten how to do that....everyday at my age becomes a moment.) Then I tackled Priscilla's Pocket Hornbook Button Keep will show it on the next blog since I just deleted it by mistake, so easy to finish, thank God since it was Midnight and I was about done mentally and physically. I also managed to put in some time on Beekeeper. I also finished The Beekeeper from Plum Street Samplers so you know what that means... I get to pick new projects today...whoppee!!!!! We received Shepherd's Fold today....you know it's in my bag, and Lone Elm called today to say they are shipping the boxes today. It's a good day people and oh, yes...the Liberty Hill boxes arrived. So we're in "new stuff" heaven here. Vera Means and her group are having their retreat in Ocean City this weekend and they started coming in Friday....fun group. Vera brought in 2 of her pieces and her Halloween piece is gorgeous. She paints her fabric (she paints the sky a different color than the rest of the piece....stunning) and it makes a big difference on the finished look. Fantastic! Oh, before I forget if you go onto the web site today we had to put in an update and when they told me they were done I went to check it out and as usual there have been some glitches. Our Just Arrived page usually everything we've received but now it contains only the items we've received in the last couple of days. The other new items are in the catalog though so you can search there. Anyway, I'm going to end here cause I got stitching to get to. Talk to you tomorrow.

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Today, Sara worked like a dog ordering supplies and taking inventory while I sat and started a new project. I set my goals yesterday for finishes this week, and I'm afraid I've gone off the grid. Last night I was working on the Priscilla's Pocket mini hornbook, over 1 on a dark 36 ct. linen and just couldn't do another stitch....so close and yet so far. I just didn't want to stitch any more and I'd only been stitching for about 4 hours (of course at work I stitched for about 4 hours with Linda and Candy) but anyway, I knew it wasn't a case of not wanting to stitch, I just was tired of the 36 over 1. Soooo, I leaned over the multitude of bags sitting beside the sofa and pulled out one of the old (from 2008) kits purchased from Elegant Stitch for a fundraiser for cancer. 2008 people and that isn't even one of my older kits lounging away on my shelves. We also got our next kit from R & R, Ladies Prim Society...oh, my Gosh....I don't have time to sleep or help Sara in the shop. Anyway, I digress...I pulled out Buttons and Blooms (I think that was the name) and it's on a lovely pink linen and I started stitching it. It was so different because everything I've been stitching on is 36 ct., and all projects are on dark linen and Buttons & Blooms was this light pink and it's a pin cushion so it will be fast, so I enjoyed stitching until 12:30 a.m. at which time I gave up and went to bed. Today in the shop I started a new piece of canvaswork. Easy peasy I said to myself I'll have this done before I leave at 4:00. Something went terribly wrong and I don't even have anyone to blame. I must have torn out the blue row 3 times at least and the pink I pulled out so much I changed colors (there I was blaming the pink). As the egg is a specialty stitch piece, so it's interesting and fun...I kept losing my rhythm and was making an ungodly mess of it. Sara came over and while I was complaining about the colors she said what she always says, "Mom you don't have to use what they did, step out of the box." 5 hours later of my bitching and complaining about colors she said, "Mom, for God's sake just stitch the colors they suggested." So much for my going out of the box. In reality I love stitching this....just not the same row 6 times. I really know I can stitch this in a few hours...I just have to find the flow. I've arrived home about a hour ago and I finished the Mini Hornbook...or so I thought as I cut it off the roller bars. As I'm sitting there patting myself on the back I realize I didn't do the nun's stitch finishing. But I can do that in hand so I'm going to try to finish that tonight...first finish of the week....yippee! I set the goal and I've got to reach it, however, when I set the goal on Sunday I didn't take into consideration the two new pieces I decided to start. I am my own worst enemy. Anyway, as you can see I'm not stitching,since I'm blogging, so got to go....will keep you posted. OMG....this is Watchathon week on T.V. ... free HBO, etc., and since I'd rather buy the movies than give the cable company one more penny, I haven't seen everything. I got hooked on Game of Thrones, Homeland and Boardwalk Empire during last years event. Then went and bought the DVD's so I can rewatch them. But this morning as I was planning my day, going to the grocery store, hitting Michael's and Walmart and then back home to do a little housekeeping (as little as possible)...I turned on T.V., hit on demand and OMH I spent the entire day watching Game of Thrones season 3 and stitching. It would be a great diet, I didn't eat breakfast or lunch until I got up off the sofa to give my butt a rest from sitting and realized it was 1 p.m. So I grabbed a fast lunch and got back to the show. Meanwhile, I finished the Buttons and Blooms pin Cushion, the DebBee's Design canvaswork egg and now I'm moving on to the beekeeper. Meanwhile I haven't gone grocery shopping, to Michael's or Walmart. Tonight I'll get some solid stitching in again and then hopefully tomorrow I'll pull myself away for a little while. In the meantime, I'm having the time of my life. Have a great evening of stitching.